The Third Born

Seven years ago, she entered this world. Not early like I had prayed. Not late – Praise the Lord! But right.on.time. On her due date. On her great-grandmother’s birthday. Flesh brought forth flesh and my heart was stolen once again.

The nine months of preparation had stretched body and soul. Youngest child’s older sister was 18 and one half months. Her oldest sister was 2 years and 46 weeks. That’s three children in less than three years. This body was tired. Only 25 myself, I was not ready to be a mama again and God and I wrestled daily and hard through those forty weeks awaiting her arrival.

The lessons learned can hardly be articulated, put into words. Only that it was that third pregnancy, this third child that has brought me low, given me a new, deeper dependence on God. He has taught me my limits and taught me to respect them. And when she came forth, a love so deep welled up within my soul, and I knew I could never imagine life without her and that God had a purpose and a plan. And she was perfect.

She used to rise in the middle of the night, sneak down to the kitchen, climb up on the counter tops and steal granola bars off the top of the refrigerator. She cuts things that aren’t meant to be cut, writes on things that aren’t made to be written on. She used to eat lotions and oils like they were candy – and not even the good tasting ones! She has caused me to question everything I thought I knew about parenting. She’s been lost on the beach in San Diego and she said she was going to run away in Ohio. She loves everyone she meets and makes friends easily. She has an easy laugh, a tender heart, and an amazing smile. She has rocked our world and we will never be the same. And I’m so thankful.

This weekend she is seven. She is no longer baby, toddler, preschooler. She is one of the “bigger girls”. Second grade begins all too soon. Today I give thanks for her. For the countless things God has taught me through her and the things He has yet to teach me. I give thanks for her life and the way she lives it – unrestrained and full of passion. I give thanks for the privilege of being her mother. And I give thanks for the daily blessings the Lord bestows….